Whether it's Hello Fresh or Amazon Now, people today expect their products to be fast, easy and - most of all - delivered. Living busy lives, we're asking for more and more of our goods and services to come to us — from burgers to ironing boards and everything in between.
So it's no surprise to see the same trend reflected in ski resorts. When booking their winter escapes, savvy skiers are increasingly turning away from traditional, off-the-shelf packages. Instead, they're cherry-picking the best local services and getting them delivered to the chalet door.
Build your own ski holiday
It starts with a door-to-door transfer and lift passes waiting on arrival. Then there's the ski hire delivery and boot-fitting service right in your own chalet.
When it comes to childcare, your nanny will usually come to collect the little ones. And after a long day on the slopes, why go limping out into the snow when you can get your massage treatment in the comfort of your chalet?
Then there's the chalet catering.
Traditionally, the Alps offered a straight choice between self-catered accommodation or a chalet with a host. But, over the last few years, growing numbers of skiers have been opting for a third option of getting food delivered to the chalet or apartment.
As just one example, we recently shone a spotlight on a frozen meals delivery service. But there are other options, too — perhaps the best-known being www.chaletkitchen.com.
Since it was founded in 2013, Chalet Kitchen has been delivering fresh meals to chalets and apartments throughout the Portes du Soleil ski area. Ordering meals for all or part of their holiday, guests can receive a daily morning delivery of breakfast and a two-course evening meal, plus tasty afternoon cakes.
Company founder and head chef, Raphael Cabuis, explains: "you just have to pop the main dish in the oven, serve - et voilà!" All the benefits of going catered without the restrictions and costs of having chalet hosts. If their reviews are anything to go by, hungry skiers are lapping it up.
The flexi-catering revolution
In fact, food deliveries have become so popular that chalet companies are now looking to get in on the action. Offering a no-frills package of meals plus accommodation, various companies are now rebranding this concept as "flexi-catering".
Some are even putting their own spin on it. In Chalet Clovis, Host Savoie call it HS Fusion. But the concept is always the same: enjoy a more flexible holiday and save money by doing without the chalet staff. The money you save can cover the cost of your transfers and your ski hire.
Having road-tested the flexi-catering idea with a stay at Raphael's own chalet company, Mountain & Tradition, The Daily Mail Ski Supplement described flexi-catering as "one of the best-kept secrets in the Alps" (see here).
Past guests certainly seem to agree that having chalet meals come to you is a concept which can deliver great value and plenty of flavour, too.
Find out more
Food delivery with Chalet Kitchen is available from €16 per person per night. For more information, visit www.chaletkitchen.com. If you’re a chalet owner looking for background catering options, click here.
